Innovation and Productivity

Innovation:Ranked 49^thin 2015, Mauritius has regressed to the 75th position in the Global Innovation Index (GII)2018 among 126 countries. Singapore is 7th. Our innovation efficiency has also deteriorated, which means we are getting less out of our inputs and we have some glaring weaknesses too. We are 105th, 93rd and 99th in knowledge creation, knowledge diffusion and research and development respectively.

Doubtful Public Sector Debt figures

Published in Le Mauricien, 20 July, 2018
In one of the articles on the budget – The hidden figures of Budget 18-19- I had pointed out that now more people are becoming aware of the dubious accounting in the budget. Among them were some local accounting firms which have highlighted this lack of transparency in the Budget. One of these firms was PwC.

WHY NOT A DEMONETISATION TO CRACKDOWN ON BLACK MONEY ?

If this regime wants to regain some of its lost credibility due to a proliferation of scandals and blunders over the past there years, a demonetisation campaign of the the high denomination notes to curb counterfeiting and money laundering will certainly help to reverse the situation.

Lower Unemployment rate due to the falling activity rate

     

Table I: Unemployment rate recalculated

	Q1 2018	Year 2018
Unemployment rate	7.1	6.9
Unemployment rate (recalculated)	7.7	7.1

Exclusive of the activity rate effect, it is 7.7% in Q1 2018 and 7.1% for 2018

CONFUSION AT EDB : Policy-making !!!

Published in Le Mauricien,9th July 2018
It comes as no surprise to us. In my article of July last year (on my blog-RChand Corner), I did point out that the EDB was being saddled with too many objectives. We felt that the EDB should focus on the formulation of economic strategy and policy and this task should be entrusted to a dedicated broad-based committee or agency, under the aegis of the Prime Minister’s office.